Ubik on Yule

December 22, 2023

The shortest day of the year but no Winter Solstice celebrations this year. When the kids were younger, we used to attend Glastonbury, Stonehenge and Avebury celebration at this time of year. But not today. No, this morning I had to work a half day at the office :(

Heading out to work

The view from my desk at work.

Work wasn't too bad actually, there was quite a nice mood at the office with just a handful of us there. And we were all out of there at 12, when the building was closed. Not quite Christmas for me yet though, as I left work early as I felt ill last Tuesday so I have to make back the hours before the end of the week - So in I go for a 6-1.45 shift tomorrow morning.

When I got home, my new read had been posted through my letterbox - Philip K Dick's Ubik:

New Year's Resolution 2023: Achieved

Thursday, December 21, 2023  

Well, my New Year's Resolution for this year was to read 20 Guy N Smith books. And yesterday, I accomplished that mission. And I have to say, I enjoyed every minute of it. Now it's time to give my GNS collection a rest:

Work on my Guy N Smith write-up has already started, but it is now time, for a while at least, for a change of direction in my reading matter. The next book on my reading list is already on its way to me, and I'll share its title and author as soon it drops through my letter box...

The Imaginarium of Guy N Smith

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 

 Had trouble sleeping last night as I knew I needed further work done on this cover. Now, at least prospective buyers have a clue what they will find within the covers of the book/fanzine. I still need to add a bit of reflection on the crystal ball, but I don't know how to do that yet...

Worse for Wear

 Tuesday, December 19, 2023

I had to come home early from work today as I was feeling unwell. But the postie had slipped these through my letterbox, warming  my spirits nicely: 

These bring my Guy N Smith collection to a satisfactory conclusion (unless someone offers me something really special I won't be able to say no too lol). Oh, I almost forgot, a couple of the books were unexpectedly signed too :)

Merry Christmas One and All

Monday, December 19, 2023

Reading Caracal. Reaching the part where Bertie gets left out in the dark and rain without his supper...

Reading my last Guy N Smith book for a while as my year-long reading project comes to a close. Which means, it's time to start putting together some thoughts for my write-up of reading, collecting and enjoying Guy's work. This will be featured in a full-colour fanzine book called The Imaginarium. 

The book, dedicated wholly to Guy, is planned to be the first in a series of zines/books celebrating scary storytelling. I've already got an idea for issue 2 percolating in my head (something along the lines of eerie children's books) so I think it's time to crack on with Issue One. Thanks Guy, you've truly entertained me throughout 2023.

GNS Lego - Thirst

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Just need to find a photo of some water from my pics for this one, then add the graphics. One of the easier photos lol.

GNS Lego - The Walking Dead

The graphics need a bit of a clean-up, but I'm happy with how this one is proceeding...

Guy N Smith Lego Covers - The Reaper

Saturday, December 16, 2023 

Continuing my Lego cover versions of Guy N Smith books for the GNS fanzine I'll be publishing next year. Here's 'The Reaper'.

Health Update

 Friday, December 15, 2023

Good news during my hospital visit to see my consultant today. She is taking me off the methotrexate and putting me on biologic injections instead. Hopefully, these will be a godsend. Got some nice pics as I made my way home too 😊

Fudge at Christmas

Thursday, December 14, 2023

GNS Lego -The Man in the Black Fedora

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

"Nobody knew him, but everyone feared the man in The Black Fedora"

Guy N Smith - The Neophyte (Blue Cat Edition)

 Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Big thanks to Carl Heeley. You are a true gentleman. 😊

I have been after this edition of  Guy N Smith's The Neophyte for what seems like an age. And then, out of the blue, I get a pm offering me it to me. And not a penny had to change hands :) What a fantastic early Crimbo present. 'Chuffed' would be an understatement.

'Tis beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Sunday, December 10, 2023

 

GNS - Doomflight, Lego Recreation and Re-imagining

 Saturday, December 09, 2023

Guy N Smith's Doomflight - my Lego recreation of its classic book cover (title graphics not yet added - you'll get to see that in the forthcoming fanzine) and my re-imagined Lego cover.

 

GNS - Doomflight

 Friday, December 08, 2023

My Guy N Smith Lego project is progressing nicely, with photographs for The Dark One, Nightspawn, The Sucking Pit, Caracal, Werewolf by Moonlight, The Slime Beast, Alligators, The Camp & The Cadaver already in the bag. Still lots to go...  but I am keeping the final pics of the Lego cover reconstruction (not my re-imaginings) for my forthcoming book exploring Guy's imagination. So if you want to see them, look out for the fanzine's publication sometime in the first half of next tear. 

Now it's time for Doomflight. I will be recreating both the actual cover for this book, which is probably my favourite of Guy's book covers, as well as making my own cover version, which will feature the mysterious druids. As usual, watch this space...